This page provides an overview of this unit as a whole with scheduling and execution as the focus. Resources, links, and documents to support this unit can be found on the resource or activity and assignments pages. Introduction (3-5 days)
National Borders and Identities (Mapping)
World situation at the time of WWII and the Holocaust (USHMM Online Video Exhibit)
WWII Conflict Causes
Examination of Prejudice and Anti-Semitism
Student Connection to Content (USHMM Family Picture Acitivity)
Begin Foundational Text Readings Night by Elie Wiesel (7-10 days)
This text includes language that may be viewed as inappropriate for some classrooms. It is essential that educators using this material are aware of its presence, purpose, and can address it. This text specifically contains the terms son of a bitch and bastard. These terms used by the Nazis when referencing concentration camp prisoners were terms that did more than express an attack on the individual. When considering social norms and expectations of this era, these terms were attacks on the individual, their family lineage, and their heritage as a whole. When using this text, this is an opportunity to deconstruct language and examine its ability to position people socially and maintain the status quo of power.
Suggested Reading Schedule:
Day 1 - pg. 1-20 (beginning to beginning of train transport of Jewish citizens)
Day 2 - pg. 21-38 (top of the page - passage ends with "Auschwitz".
Day 3 - pg. 38-52(half of the page - passage ends with "That is what concentration camp life had made of me."
Day 4 - pg. 52-62
Day 5 - pg. 63-80
Day 6 - pg. 81-92
Day 7 - pg. 93-109
These page numbers will vary depending on the edition of the text. This schedule is constructed in such a way as to allow time for reading and discussion or journal response.
Vocabulary
Class Discussions/Student Journals
Work Packet
Wiesel's life since Auschwitz
Comprehension and Analysis Quizzes
The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen (7 days)
This text serves as an alternative text. The content is presented in a manner more accepted for younger students and without the graphic language.
In addition, this text could potentially better serve students with lower lexile levels.
Suggested Reading Schedule:
Day 1 - pg. 1-31
Day 2 - pg. 33-56
Day 3 - pg. 57-83
Day 4 - pg. 84-104
Day 5 - pg. 105-121
Day 6 - pg. 122-143
Day 7 - pg. 144-164
Vocabulary
Class Discussions/Student Journals
Work Packet
Comprehension and Analysis Quizzes
Supporting Texts
Various supporting text offered in various media forms can be found on the resources page. These supporting texts/resources include movies, documentaries, informational texts, and websites for use within this unit.
Children of the Holocaust (3-5 days)
Upon completion of the introductory material and foundational readings, begin examination of the experiences of children effected by the Holocaust.
I Never Saw Another Butterfly by Hannah Volavkova (2-3 days)
Collection of poems and drawings created by children of the Holocaust while housed in Terezin Concentration Camp. 15,000 children were housed in this camp with only 100 surviving. These works express their hopes, fears, and realities.
Literary Analysis
Responses to Literature
Butterfly Memorials (completion extends to the end of the unit)
Unit Conclusion (3-5 days)
This section contains information about resistance during the Holocaust as well as material review and debrief - this is necessary to assist in student recall of unit material. This is especially true in regard to much of the foundational material that is essential for understanding and offered early in the unit.
Social Justice and Action - Paper Clips documentary video. This part of the unit considers social justice and action based on injustice.
Introduction of final project - Though introduced in the unit conclusion, this project can take up to approximately a week. See the Student Sample Work page for presentations and work from this unit created by past students.
Introduction (3-5 days)
Begin Foundational Text Readings
Night by Elie Wiesel (7-10 days)
This text includes language that may be viewed as inappropriate for some classrooms. It is essential that educators using this material are aware of its presence, purpose, and can address it. This text specifically contains the terms son of a bitch and bastard. These terms used by the Nazis when referencing concentration camp prisoners were terms that did more than express an attack on the individual. When considering social norms and expectations of this era, these terms were attacks on the individual, their family lineage, and their heritage as a whole. When using this text, this is an opportunity to deconstruct language and examine its ability to position people socially and maintain the status quo of power.
Suggested Reading Schedule:
Day 1 - pg. 1-20 (beginning to beginning of train transport of Jewish citizens)
Day 2 - pg. 21-38 (top of the page - passage ends with "Auschwitz".
Day 3 - pg. 38-52(half of the page - passage ends with "That is what concentration camp life had made of me."
Day 4 - pg. 52-62
Day 5 - pg. 63-80
Day 6 - pg. 81-92
Day 7 - pg. 93-109
These page numbers will vary depending on the edition of the text. This schedule is constructed in such a way as to allow time for reading and discussion or journal response.
The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen (7 days)
This text serves as an alternative text. The content is presented in a manner more accepted for younger students and without the graphic language.
In addition, this text could potentially better serve students with lower lexile levels.
Suggested Reading Schedule:
Day 1 - pg. 1-31
Day 2 - pg. 33-56
Day 3 - pg. 57-83
Day 4 - pg. 84-104
Day 5 - pg. 105-121
Day 6 - pg. 122-143
Day 7 - pg. 144-164
Supporting Texts
Various supporting text offered in various media forms can be found on the resources page. These supporting texts/resources include movies, documentaries, informational texts, and websites for use within this unit.
Children of the Holocaust (3-5 days)
Upon completion of the introductory material and foundational readings, begin examination of the experiences of children effected by the Holocaust.
I Never Saw Another Butterfly by Hannah Volavkova (2-3 days)
Collection of poems and drawings created by children of the Holocaust while housed in Terezin Concentration Camp. 15,000 children were housed in this camp with only 100 surviving. These works express their hopes, fears, and realities.
Unit Conclusion (3-5 days)
This section contains information about resistance during the Holocaust as well as material review and debrief - this is necessary to assist in student recall of unit material. This is especially true in regard to much of the foundational material that is essential for understanding and offered early in the unit.
Social Justice and Action - Paper Clips documentary video. This part of the unit considers social justice and action based on injustice.
Introduction of final project - Though introduced in the unit conclusion, this project can take up to approximately a week. See the Student Sample Work page for presentations and work from this unit created by past students.